Steele Named Chair Of Senate Committee On Judiciary
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) appointed State Sen. Brent Steele (R-Bedford) as chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary for the 119th General Assembly.
“This committee will examine policies affecting Indiana’s justice system and study new ways to maintain consistency and fairness in our state’s court system,” Steele said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the important proposals that will come before the committee.”
Steele was also named to the following committees:
- Senate Committee on Agriculture
- Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law
- Senate Committee on Ethics
- Senate Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions
- Senate Committee on Natural Resources
- Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure
Committee hearings can be viewed online by visiting www.in.gov/legislative. Schedules and meeting agendas can also be found on this site.
The 2015 legislative session ceremonially began Nov. 18, with Organization Day. Legislators will reconvene Jan. 6, and by law must conclude by April 29.
Swap Shop Podcast 11-25-2014
Swap Shop Podcast 11-25-2014
23-year old Paoli Man Killed During Hardinsburg Home Invasion
A Paoli man was shot and killed during a home invasion in Hardinsburg early this morning.
According to Indiana State Police Detective Craig Starr, at approximately 1:00 this morning, 23 year old Jacob Grimes of Paoli entered a residence at 7909 South County Road 700 East, Hardinsburg, and was shot and killed by the homeowners.
The homeowners, Barry Frost, 59, and Terah Frost, 61, (brothers), heard the entry and moved their mother, Yvonne Frost, 86, into a bedroom to protect her.
Barry and Terah went downstairs to attempt to locate the person that had entered the residence.Unable to locate an intruder, the brothers looked for tools to fix damage done to the door.
As Barry opened a cellar door, he encountered Grimes, who then punched Barry and engaged him in a physical altercation.
Terah, in an adjacent room, heard the dispute and upon entering the room observed Grimes, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, a bandana over his face, and in possession of a knife, fighting with Barry. Terah shot Grimes with a handgun.
Grimes was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy was conducted on Grimes this morning in Bedford. Indiana State Police investigators and crime scene technicians were assisted on scene by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Notification to Grimes’s family has been made.
Indiana State Police to Conduct Sobriety Check Point in Crawford County
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Jasper Post will be conducting a sobriety check point at an undisclosed location in Crawford County on Friday, November 28, 2014. Those drivers passing through the check point area should have their licenses and registrations ready to present to troopers, and will only be detained briefly while troopers determine whether further investigation is necessary.
The purpose of the sobriety check point is to remove those motorists from the highways who are alcohol and/or drug impaired and poses a danger to all who use the roadways. Impaired drivers are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage, personal injury, and death annually.
Reminders so motorists do not find themselves “Over the Limit and Under Arrest”:
• Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before consuming alcohol.
• Don’t drive your vehicle if you’ve been drinking alcohol. Call a taxi or sober friend.
• Take care of your friends. Never let a friend drive while impaired.
• If you are hosting a party, always offer non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
• Never provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age of 21.
Motorists encountering another vehicle being operated erratically are encouraged to dial 911 or call the Jasper Indiana State Police Post at (812) 482-1441 or (800) 742-7475. Be prepared to give a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel.
Coffee Club Podcast 11-25-2014
Coffee Club Podcast 11-25-2014
Orange County Native Promoted in ISP
On Sunday, November 16, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter promoted Trooper Craig Starr as a Trooper Detective to serve the Jasper Post.
Starr is a native of Orange County and a 2003 graduate of Paoli High School. After high school, Starr attended Indiana University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs in 2006.
Starr graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy as a member of the 67th Academy in 2007. He was assigned to the Jasper District, where he patrolled Crawford and Orange Counties. As a member of the Indiana State Police, Starr has served as a Field Training Officer, and is certified to perform truck inspections under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) and as a School Safety Specialist.
Detective Starr and his wife Jessica reside in Orange County.
Former Cheerleader sues Madison School over injury
A former high school cheerleader is suing a southern Indiana school district over a knee injury she says she suffered during a school pep rally.
Ashley A. Watkins’ civil lawsuit filed Wednesday in Jefferson Superior Court seeks unspecified damages from Southwestern Jefferson County Schools and a cheerleading coach.
The Madison Courier reports that Watkins, who graduated this year from Southwestern High School, alleges she fell and suffered a severe knee injury in November 2012 during a tumbling routine at a school pep rally.
Watkins alleges she slipped because the gymnasium’s floor had been sprayed with a slippery substance during a skit performed before the cheerleaders took the floor.
School district attorney Susan Traynor Chastain says she hasn’t seen the suit. She says the district does not comment on pending litigation.
Houchin to Serve on Four Senate Committees
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) appointed State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) to serve on four standing senate committees for the 119th General Assembly.
Houchin was named to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology, the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services, the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Senate Committee on Utilities.
“Committee meetings allow legislators to gather feedback on proposed legislation providing opportunities for supporters and critics to help influence new laws,” Houchin said. “I am eager to begin studying issues that are brought before these committees during my first session as a state senator.”
Committee hearings can be viewed online by visiting www.in.gov/legislative. Schedules and meeting agendas can also be found on this site.
The 2015 legislative session ceremonially began Tuesday, Nov. 18, with Organization Day. Legislators will reconvene Jan. 6, and by law must conclude by April 29.
